Dear Parents,

This week’s Torah Portion is Parshat Matot. The Parsha opens up with a description of the laws of one who makes a vow upon oneself to not to partake in something otherwise allowed; for example, wine, as would a “Nazir”- the classic example referred to throughout the Torah. Although the Parsha describes the laws of this person who makes such a vow; our tradition tells us that there is something indisputably negative about such an action.

Our Sages tell us that someone who takes such vow, to disallow something to oneself, is like someone who creates a sacrificial alter outside of Jerusalem’s Temple; a significant sin. While it was clearly important to our Sages to demonstrate the negativity of doing such a thing, why did they choose this particular example to demonstrate its significance?

I heard an answer tonight from Rabbi Bernstein at the Young Israel in Cleveland that I felt was important for us to hear in the time that the Jewish people currently finds itself. The Temple, when standing, and even now in its destruction, was a place that the entire Jewish people would look and travel to as a unified people. If someone would build their own personal sacrificial alter outside the Temple, they were in essence saying, “I don’t need what everyone else is doing, I’m going to do my own thing.” Similarly, for one to say, “Let the rest of the Jewish people do that; I’m going to set myself aside and be different,” is contrary to our foundational principle of unity and togetherness.

In this difficult time for the Jewish people, as our Country and Homeland is without rest, let us remind ourselves that we are all together- unified in thought and heart. Let us unite with each other through our thoughts and our prayers and hope that, despite the outcome of TJJ 2014, our brothers and sisters in Israel and throughout the world will continue to be safe and protected.

Be well, and Shabbat Shalom.

– Rabbi Arieh Friedner

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